Program Manager – Vanuatu

Program Manager – Vanuatu (PLMSP – Palladium)

Project Overview:

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor- Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program’s (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.

This Opportunity:

The Labour Mobility Program Manager – Vanuatu (PM), embedded in Employment Sending Unit (ESU), will support the Engagement M anager in the delivery and implementation of the PLMSP country plan and PLMSP operational priorities. The PM will support ESU’s engagement with Australian employers on recruitment, mobilisation, and strengthening of work ready pools. They will also provide the ESU with operational and programmatic support to strengthen key priority areas including welfare, communication, reintegration, In-country Recruitment Database (IRD) and pre-departure briefings (PDB).

This position is based in Vanuatu and is a fixed term opportunity required to 30 September 2028.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Labour Mobility Program Manager – Vanuatu will:

Strengthen worker registration and readiness programs with LSU and stakeholders.
Collaborate across PLMSP streams to support LSU systems.
Assist in worker selection, screening, and transition to recruitment database.
Update SOPs and systems to align with program changes.
Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure smooth worker mobilization.
Ensure workers and families are well-informed pre-departure.
Mentor PDB trainers and ensure briefings are relevant and effective.
Develop and update PDB materials.
Support LSU and partners in developing reintegration policies and initiatives.
Leverage DFAT and local networks for reintegration support.
Assist LSU welfare staff in addressing overseas worker issues.
Help develop welfare policies and foster a community of care.
Mentor LSU staff and support team-building tools and activities.
Support LSU in using and maintaining the IRD system.
Troubleshoot issues and coordinate training with PLMSP IRD team.
Deliver training and facilitate workshops for stakeholders.
Support LSU in marketing and awareness campaigns about labour mobility.
Promote cross-learning and tool sharing across PLMSP and LSU.
Participate in planning, reporting, and risk management activities.
Encourage innovation through AI, data, and tech.
Foster inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work culture.
Mentor junior staff and support onboarding and feedback culture.

We are seeking an individual with:

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or; an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
3-5 years’ work experience in similar project support or management roles.
Excellent written and oral communications skills with high level proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web browsers.
Advanced research and analytical skills.
Financial and commercial acumen, including excellent skills in Excel.
Demonstrated relationship management skills, including the ability to work across a broader team and with external stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate sound judgement.
Highly developed organisational skills, agility and the ability to balance and prioritise multiple tasks, and work well under pressure.

This position is based in Vanuatu. You must have valid country specific work rights to be considered for this position – visa sponsorship is not available.

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact recruitment@plmsp.com.au

How to Apply:

To apply visit https://thepalladiumgroup.com/careers

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Friday, 6th June 2025, at 11:59PM

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender iden tity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.